Three Former Gators May Play Tonight in NBA Season Openers

The 2013-2014 NBA regular season begins tonight with three games scheduled around the league. Three former Gators are on rosters of teams in action tonight, but they may not all play.

Here are the games that are scheduled for tonight:

Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers 7 P.M.

Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat 8 P.M.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers 10:30 P.M.

Chicago’s Joakim Noah, who starred on the 2006 and 2007 national championship teams, is coming off his first All-Star game appearance but he may be sidelined with a groin injury in the opener. Noah averaged a double-double last season with 12 points and 11 rebounds per contest, both are career highs.

Eric Murphy was drafted by the Chicago Bulls 49TH overall in this year’s draft and he has played sparingly during the preseason. It has not been reported whether or not Murphy will be on the active roster for the opener at the time of this report.

Udonis Haslem, who helped the Gators to a national runner-up finish in 2000, will begin his 11TH NBA season tonight. Haslem, a Miami native, has played his entire pro career for the Miami Heat. Haslem has won three NBA titles with Miami and according to many media outlets the Heat are preseason favorites to win it all again this season.